HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Tuesday marks the 118th anniversary of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Troopers both past and present gathered in Luzerne County to honor the legacy of those who were killed in the line of duty.
It’s been an annual tradition for more than a century. Every year, the ceremony serves as an emotional remembrance of the brave men and women in uniform who made the ultimate sacrifice.
May 2, 1905, is the date Pennsylvania State Police was officially established. On its 118th anniversary, Troop N hosted its annual Memorial Day observance event at its Hazleton barracks.
“This is a family, both past and present, of troopers. And it’s important for us to remember our own, especially on a day like today of our inception, and to honor those 102 troopers that gave the ultimate sacrifice,” explained State Trooper Anthony Petroski, Public Information Officer, PSP Troop N.
Current Troop N command staff, a platoon of troopers, and retired troopers attended the event.
Since 1905, 102 troopers have died in the line of duty, and names are added every year.
“They’re the ones that built this legacy up for us to continue to carry on, and that’s what we’re trying to do. So, whenever the retirees are here, and they’re talking about their past experience and they give us words of wisdom, it’s truly inspiring,” added Petroski,
“I am very, very proud to have been a Pennsylvania State Police Trooper,” says retired Pennsylvania State Police Officer Captain Joseph P. Zuber.
Captain Joseph Zuber was part of the Pennsylvania State Police for 35 years, during that time, he worked at 26 stations across the commonwealth.
“When I view the troopers in uniform being inspected, it brings back many, many fond memories but it’s something that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” explained retired Captain Zuber.
This is the first of many memorial day ceremonies to be held throughout our area in the coming weeks.
